Background Study – Full Updated Version Adams River, British Columbia Proposed National Heritage River Nomination Prepared for B.C. Ministry of Environment Thompson Region Cal-Eco Consultants Ltd. and Mariposa Trails March 31, 2006 with selected updates to March 31, 2008 Version 3.2 Cover photo: Adams River Salmon Society Table of Contents 1.1 Overall Project Purpose ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Detailed Objectives................................................................................................................................ 1 2 Background ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Overview, Adams River ........................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 BC Heritage Rivers Status..................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Canadian Heritage Rivers System ........................................................................................................ 5 Overview map of the Adams.................................................................................................................................. 6 3 The CHRS Framework and Features of the Adams River ....................................................................... 7 3.1 Natural Values ........................................................................................................................................ 7 3.1.1 Theme 1 – Hydrology....................................................................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Theme 2 – Physiography................................................................................................................ 10 3.1.3 Theme 3 – River Morphology ....................................................................................................... 13 3.1.4 Theme 4 – Biotic Environments................................................................................................... 15 3.1.5 Theme 5 – Vegetation..................................................................................................................... 18 3.1.6 Theme 6 – Fauna............................................................................................................................. 21 3.2 Cultural Values...................................................................................................................................... 24 3.2.1 Theme 1 – Resource Harvesting ................................................................................................... 24 3.2.2 Theme 2 – Water Transport........................................................................................................... 28 3.2.3 Theme 3 – Riparian Settlement ..................................................................................................... 34 3.2.4 Theme 4 – Culture and Recreation............................................................................................... 39 3.2.5 Theme 5 – Jurisdictional Use......................................................................................................... 44 4 Assessment..................................................................................................................................................... 49 4.1 Natural Heritage Values ...................................................................................................................... 49 4.2 Cultural Values...................................................................................................................................... 51 4.3 Recreational Values.............................................................................................................................. 52 4.4 Integrity Values..................................................................................................................................... 53 5 Boundary for the Proposed Heritage River Corridor.............................................................................. 55 6 Personal Contacts.......................................................................................................................................... 55 7 Outreach......................................................................................................................................................... 57 7.1 Communities, Organizations, and Groups Contacted.................................................................... 57 Adams River Proposed National Heritage River Nomination Background Study – Full Version 3.2 Cal-Eco Consultants Ltd. and Mariposa Trails i March 31, 2006 with selected updates to March 31, 2008 7.2 Outreach Process ................................................................................................................................. 58 8 References ...................................................................................................................................................... 59 Appendix 1 – Lists of Flora and Fauna............................................................................................................... 63 Appendix 2 – Participants at Workshop, March 16, 2006 ............................................................................... 68 Appendix 3 – Participants at Workshop, March 22, 2007 ............................................................................... 69 Appendix 4 – Participants at Talking Circle, February 28, 2008..................................................................... 70 Maps An overview map of the Adams River showing its location in the province of British Columbia is provided on Page 6. The overview map also indicates the location of six individual map sheets showing greater detail for segments of the river. These sheets 1 to 6 are found at the end of this document. Acknowledgements The people of Chase, the Adams River watershed, the North Shuswap, Barriere, Blue River, Clearwater and beyond for their input and help The Village of Chase for providing the Community Centre for the workshop and open house All those interviewed as part of this background study and listed in the appendices The Adams River Salmon Society for their interest and involvement Greg Witzky, Adams Lake Indian Band, for his extra involvement and help Jeremy Heighton, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for going beyond the call of duty Byril Kurtz for a review of the preliminary document and much more The late Blair Borden for many of the photographs Summit Environmental Consultants, in particular Brian de Jong, for a speedy and first-rate response in preparing document maps Advanced Satellite Communications for pulling together a demonstration satellite map of the Adams River Valley on short notice Cheryl Thomas, Susan Garland, Diane Lefrancois and Edward Richardson for their help organizing community meetings in Clearwater, Blue River and Barriere Peter Weilandt, Doug Biffard and Pat Moulton of Ministry of Environment, and Don Gibson and Brian Grimsey of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System, all for their guidance and advice Thanks to all of those who reviewed and provided comments that have helped update this document, including Chief Felix Arnouse of the Little Shuswap Indian Band for his patience and willingness to continue dialogue, and hosting a special Talking Circle Additional thanks to Stephen Quinn, Denis Delisle, Art Anthony, Grant Fraser, Greg Holitzki and Sonja Vernon-Wood for their efforts. Adams River Proposed National Heritage River Nomination Background Study – Full Version 3.2 Cal-Eco Consultants Ltd. and Mariposa Trails ii March 31, 2006 with selected updates to March 31, 2008 1 Introduction This project was carried out for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Thompson Region, Environmental Stewardship Division, Kamloops. It encompassed an overview of the features of the Adams River, British Columbia, and an assessment of the degree to which the river meets the requirements for a national heritage nomination under the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS). The project involved secondary research, as well as contact with numerous individuals and representatives from a variety of groups. The majority of the research for this project was carried out in early 2006, with some updates completed for this 2008 version. The research process involved community input from First Nations and many others in the Adams watershed, Chase, North Shuswap, North Thompson and beyond; representatives from commercial and forestry interests; and Local, Provincial, and Federal governments. Between early 2006 and March of 2008 several community meetings were held in the area, as well as a number of one-on-one meetings. The Adams River Salmon Society played a key role in both initiating this project and assisting with its progress. The outreach process is described further in Section 7. 1.1 Overall Project Purpose The broad objectives of the background study were to: a) document and assess the river’s human heritage values (cultural/ historical/ archaeological), related natural resource values and recreational opportunities, land and water uses/issues, and heritage management and environmental issues associated with the Adams River from a CHRS perspective; and b) apply this